Earth mover



Julv e, 1943.

` A. T. SPENCER, JR

EARTH MOVER Filed March 22, 1939 5 sheets-sheet 1 O v W n n/ NW/ T -5 Mm Juv 6, 1943. A. T. SPENCER, JR 2,323,428

EARTH MOVER Filed March '22, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MM l , A TTORNEY July6, 943. A. T. SPENCER, JR

EARTH MovR Filed March 22. 1959 .5 Sheets-Sheet .'5

Julv 6, l943 A. T; SPENCER, .Ki/R

EARTH MOVER Filed March 22, 1939 5 Sheets-Shea?I 4 5 Sheets-Shea? 5 A.T. SPENCER, JR

EARTH MOVER- Filed Maron 22, 1959 Julv 6, 1943.

IN V EN TOR.

Patented July 6, 1943 UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE 2,323,428 EARTH MovERAllan T'. Spencer, Jr., Gerber, Calif. Application March 22, 1939,Serial No. 263,446

5 Claims.

My invention relates to means for moving earth, and is concernedespecially with a scraping and carrying mechanism adapted to bepropelled over the ground by a draft implement such as a tractor, forthe Aand discharging earthy material.

An object of my invention is to provide an earth mover which is capableof versatile opera- Ation under the ready control of the tractoroperator.

Another object of my invention is to provide an earth mover in which theearthy material is positively introduced into the carrier.

A further object of my invention is to provide an earth mover in whichthe earthy material is positively discharged from the earth carrier.

. A further object of my invention is to provide Van earth mover whichis designed for use with earthy materials of various differentconsisten- Vcies and characteristics and to be beneficially useful inconnection with all of them. Another object of my invention is toprovide an earth mover which can be readily fabricated of substantiallystandard materials.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of theinvention illustrated' in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of an earth mover constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan to an enlarged scale and in a different position,showing the earth mover of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section indicated by the line 3 3 the plane of whichis of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by theline'4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a cross-section the plane of which isindicatedby the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-section similar to Fig. 3 but Lshowing a part of theearth mover of my invention in modified form.

In its preferred form, the earth mover of my invention includes a mainframe mounted for movement over the ground and on which`is supported amain bowl adapted to be vertically moved purpose of gathering withrespect to the ground. On the main frame is a front bowl provided withmeans for moving it positively toward and away from the main bowl, andin the main bowl there is included a pivoted bottom pan with whichco-operates a pusher for discharging the main bowl, the latterinstrumentalities, as well as the front bowl, be- `ing provided withappropriate moving and operrkatingmeans i While the earth mover of myinvention is susbeam' 28. between the cross-beam 23 and the forward beamtended rearwardly and each of them terminates in a journal block 9carrying one end of each of a pair of axles I I and I2 which togethermount the ground-engaging wheels I3. These are preferably arranged intwo pairs and are demounted by being moved axially along the axles. Toprovide an additional support, yet to afford a ready means fordemounting the wheels, I terminate the axles II and I2 within a centralmuli I4 which includes an upper lever I6 having a pivot connection I1 onthe cross-beam 8 and a lower lever I8 connected by a pivot I9 to thecrossbeam 8. The two levers, when clamped in closed position about theaxle ends II and I2 by suitable fastenings 2|, afford a rigid supportfor the central part of the axles, but when the fastenings 2| areremoved, either one or both of the levers I6 and I8 can be moved aboutpivots I1 and I9 to separate the halvesof the mulf I4,

l j axles.

Adjacent their forward ends the side beams l are spanned by across-member 23 and have converging side portions 24 which join aforward A pair of spacing beams 21 extend 26 and encompass a pedestal 28with respect to which the main frame is movable and which serves as asupport for the main frame on a pair of ground-engaging wheels 29. Thepedestal 28 at its lower end is provided with a vertical pivotAconnection 3l depending from which is a yoke 32 encompassing trunnions33 respectively forwardly and `:front axle 3B at the ends of aremounted. A draft and 34 projecting rearwardly from a which the wheels 29yoke 31 is articulated to j'the axle 36 and extends forwardly to a hitch38 'adapted to be secured to a draft implement such 'as ,a tractor.

Since, preferably, the relative movement be- 'ptween the mainframe andthe pedestal 28 is one substantially of vertical translation, I provideon each of the faces of the pedestal a pair of guide rails 4| and 42affording a trackway within which operate a pair of rollers 43 and 44each of which is journaled on an axle 46 mounted in a hollow frame 41surrounding the pedestal and secured to the spacing beams 21 and theforward beam 26. Since the various rollers 43 and 44 are spaced apart amaterial distance, and since they are confined between the rails 4| and42, the relative movement between the main frame and the pedestal isaccompanied by only a minimum of resistance and friction in anydisplaced position thereof, despite turning of the front wheels 29 anddespite unevenness in the terrain over which the vehicle is propelled.The interconnection between the main frame and the pedestal is such thatwhile the desired movement is relatively free and can be effected withbut a small exertion of power, any other relative movement between theparts is effectively restrained.

In order to conne earthy material to -my earth carrier, I preferablyprovide on the main frame a main bowl, generally designated 5|. Thisbowl includes a number of component parts, among which are side plates52 and 53 which preferably are welded to the side beams 1 and extend'substantially the entire length of the machine from adjacent `therearward cross-beam 6 to a location adjacent the forward cross-beam 23.The external Vcontour of the side plates can be varied according tovarious requirements, but preferably such side plates extendsubstantially to the ground when the machine is in excavating positionand -'are approximately rectangular in outline, with the exception ofsomewhat rounded corners.

Included in the main bowl 5| and forming an earth supporting surfacethereof is a bottom pan 56 which is a substantially planar lplateextending with but slight clearance between 'the side plates 52 and 53and adjacent its forward end being provided with a 4cutting edge 51which either is vintegrally formed with the bottom pan or is a separatepart applied thereto andremovable for sharpening and replacement afterwear. A

In accordance'with my invention, I preferably so mount the bottom pan 56thatit can be moved between the sidewalls 52 and'53 of the mainbowl fordischarging of material therein, and 'also in such a way that thecutting edge l51 will have 'a minimum displacement from lits 'optimumcutting rposition under most circumstances yet can be varied in positionto change its angle o'f cutting under appropriate conditions. For this'reason I provide the bottom pan 56 with a pair of side ears 58 each ofwhich overlies a pivot pin 59 projecting from and mounted in itsadjacent side plate 52 or 53. The pivot pins 59, being in alignment,afford a transverse axis about which the bottom pan 56 may be pivotallymoved, the location of the axis of the: pins 59 with respect vto theleading portion of the cutting edge 51 being such that the range ofmovement of the cutting edge extends substantially equally on oppositesides of the axis and raises and lowers with respect thereto about equalamounts both 'ahead of and behind such axis.

While the pivotal movement of the bottom pan can extend over anyselected range, I preferably provide Va pair of permanent stops 6|constituting angles projecting from the side walls r`52 and 53, toarrest the forward movement of the bottom pan in substantially avertical position.

' To support the bottom pan 56 and'also toassis't in supporting materialcontained in the main bowl, I provide a pusher, generally designated 63.This element includes a rear wall 64 of the main bowl, including asubstantially planar plate normally arranged in approximately a vertical.position and extending between the side walls 52 and 53 with a slightclearance. The end plate 64 is mounted to pivot on the main framethrough the instrumentality of a pair of supporting levers 66 and 61.Each of these levers is effectively welded to the rear plate 64 and atits upper end is connected b-y a pivot shaft 68 to upwardly extendingbrackets 69 and 1|, respectively, incorporated in the main frame and`upstanding from the side rails 1 thereof. A transverse reinforcing beam13 spans the distance between and is connected to the levers 66 and 61.At their lower ends the levers carry rollers 14 underlying the bottompan 56 and limited in their rearward movement by contact of the leverswith adjusting screws 16 held by lock nuts 11 and piercing threadedbosses -18 upstanding from the cross-beam 8.

In addition to the rollers 14 bearing upon the bottom pan 56, the bottompan itself is provided with antifriction rollers 8| which rest againstthe plate 64 so that when the levers 66 and 61 are in unison rotatedabout the axis yof the shaft 68 vthe rollers 14 cam against the undersurface of the bottom pan 56 to pivot it upwardly and-forwardly toward adischarging position, fand at the same time the rollers 8| are availableto ride upon the rear plate *64 to reduce the friction between thatplate and the bottom pan.

VAs another instrumentality in retaining earthly material within themain bowl, l provide va front bowl, generally designated 85. Thispreferably constitutes a plate 61 which has a bottom portion 8-8extending substantially at right angles to a forward portion A69 andjoined by a merging curve, while extending transversely between theforwardly extending parts of the side plates 52 and 53. The trailingedge of the bottom portion 86, if desired, can be provided with acutting edge 9|, While the front bowl 86 is articulated to the rest ofthe structure by a pair of support arms 92 to which the plate 81 isjoined adjacent the bottom portion S6 and by spacers 93 adjacent theupper portion 89.

Preferably, the side arms 92 are articulated pivotally with respect tothe main frame for 'affording movement of the front bowl toward and awayfrom the main bowl in substantially a horizontal manner; yet in'addition I provide means for movably or yieldably pivoting the frontbowl to the main bowl in orde'r that when the cutting edge 9| isl'employed it can be drawn toward "the main bowl in a substantially truehorizontal line distinct from the arcuate movement which would accompanya fixed pivotal connection. For this reason, adjacent its upper'end-eachof the arms 92 is provided with a pivotal articulation 96 to one of apair of links 91 and 98, respectively, each'of which at its rearward endis provided with a `pivotal connection l99 to the adjacent upright 69 orvon the mainframe. The downward movement of the link 91 is restricted byAbrackets IGI mounted on the adjacent side plates 52 and 53, but theupward movement `of the link is not restrained, Hence, if the front bowl86 moves about the axis of the articulation 96, and the links 91 are notcaused to yield, then the cutting edge 9| moves in an arc about the axisAof the pivot 96 as a center until it 'substantially contactstheicutting edge 51. On the vother hand,

" or Aif for any reason it is Vangle irons |91 and if the cutting edge9| should strike some obstruction during its movement toward the mainbowl,

desired to have the cutting edge Si follow some path other than an arcabout the axis of the pivot 95 as a center, then the links 91 are causedto yield upwardly and the cutting edge 9| is made to follow either arectilinear path or any other path resulting from the composite pivotingabout the axes of the pivots 95 and the pivots 99.

Since, in accordance with my invention, I preferably provide means forpostively propelling the front bowl in a forward direction away from themain bowl as well as in a rearward direction toward the main bowl, thereis preferably mounted on the upright portion 89 of the front bowl a mast|65 conveniently constituted of a pair of I |38 which are welded to theplate 81 and extend from the lowermost portion of the front bowl to apoint considerably above the upper edge of the front bowl. The upper endof the angles |91 and |93 serves as a mounting for a sheave |09 includedin the actuating mechanism, since a cable type actuator is preferablyemployed. While hydraulic, pneumatic or other means may be utilized foractuating the various instrumentalities of my earth mover, I preferablyprovide a structure in which two flexiible cables or wire ropes areutilized to perform all of the operations. Hence, I provide a rst cableiii which extends from an operator-controlled winch drum on the tractor(not shown) and through any suitable leading mechanism and is trainedaround a sheave 2 mounted on a fork 3 supported on the front beam 25.From the sheave i2 the cable extends around a sheave H4 journaledadjacent the upper end of the pedestal 28, and then is trained aroundthe sheave |99, extending thence around a sheave I I5 mounted at the topOf the pedestal 22 Since, in accordance with my invention, I preferablyinterrelate the movement of the front bowl with the vertical movement ofthe main bowl with respect to the ground, I utilize the cable in `such away that when it is tensioned it not only will move the front bowltoward the main bowl in a closing movement but likewise will be electiveto lift or raise the main bowl with respect to the ground; and for thatreason, after it passes over the sheave H5, the cable is trained arounda sheave H1 journaled in the fork ||3 and is then looped around a sheave||8 journaled in a bracket E19 projecting from the pedestal 28, fromwhich the cable extends to a dead end 2| in the fork HS. Thus, when thecable is tensioned, not

only is the mast |66 rotated clockwise, as seen in the various iigures,but also the sheaves ||1 and I i8 are caused to approach each other,thus lifting the main frame and the main bowl with respect to theground.

Whether the rotary movement of the front bowl toward closed position inits entirety is simultaneous with the entire raising movement of themain bowl, or in which sequence these operations occur, depends uponmany factors, principally the resistance of the two elements to movementwhich in turn Adepends upon their general weight and design and upon thedistribution of the load in the machine; that is, whether a majorportion of the load is in the front bowl or whether it is in the mainbowl. Since the particular order of operation, either during a part ofthe range of movement or throughout the entire range, varies under`diierent conditions and need not be in any ,shown as lifting the,throwing movement to the bowl, particularly particular sequence so faras the present structure is concerned, I have yreferred to suchinterrelated movement in the claims as movement conjointly Further inaccordance with my invention, I provide means for moving otherinstrumentalities by a second cable, and for that reason there is ex--tended from a second, preferably independently controlled winch on thetractor (not shown) a second cable |23 which is gui-ded over a sheave|24 journaled in a bracket |26 projecting from the main frame and isextended over idler sheaves |21 and |28 journaled with their axesparallel on a plate |29 spanning the spacing beams 21. Thence the vcableextends through a pair of sheaves |3| and |32 mounted between a pair ofupright angles |34 and |38 connected to the front cross-beam 23.

From the uppermost of the sheaves the cable |23 then extends over asheave |31 journaled at the lower end of the mast |85 and thence arounda sheave I 38 journaled between the angles |01 and |98 but intermediatethe ends thereof. The cable 23 then extends around a sheave 39 jcurnaledin a bracket |14| depending from the cross-beam 13 and is provided witha dead end. |42 on a bracket |43 secured to the mast |06 adjacent thepulley |38. When the second cable |23 is tensioned, the tendency is forthe sheaves |31 and |32 to approach each other; that is, -to rotate thefront bowl counterclockwise, as seen in the figures, or toward openposition.

Whether or not such relative movement takes place is dependent uponwhether or not a superior force is exerted through the cable tending tocause the sheaves |09 and ||6 to approach each other; but the tension inthe cable |23 is also effective to produce a tendency to cause thesheaves |38 and |39 to approach each other, that is, to produce acounterclockwise movement of the levers and 61, so that the pusher '53and the bottom pan 56 are conjontly moved from their holding or carryingposition into their discharging position. These positions areillustrated especially in Fig. 3, in which the roller 8| is bottom pan56 for substantially half of its movement. Beginning at about ,midway ofthe movement the roller 14 bears vagainst the pan 56 adjacent the axisof the pivot 59, and for the remainder of the movement very rapidlyrotates the bottom pan forwardly until it strikes the stop 6|, giving afinal discharged material. To assist in clearing material from the mainwhen the material is of an adherent nature, I preferably provide a pairof vdepending arms |5| at their upper ends connected by pvot pins |52 tothe respective levers 6'5 and 61. Adjacent their lower ends, the armsare connected by pivotal joints |53 to a scraper .blade |54 extendingtransversely of the main bowl and in substantial contact with the bottompan 55. Preferably, a relatively light coil sprin-g .is interposedbetween the scraper |54 and the arms |5| tending to cause the scraper torest in contact with the bottom pan 56, and a similar `light coil springis interposed between the levers |5| and the arms 66 and 51 to urge thelevers |5| toward the end plate 64. Since the rearmost edge of thebottom pan virtually scrapes over the end wall 54, and since the plate|54 virtually scrapes the bottom pan 59, there is `an action whichcauses all adhering earthy material to be dislodged.

In this modification of the invention, by

manipulation ofthe two cables I |I and 1| 23, either individually or inconcert v'with more-or less tension on each, an operator can open andclose the front bowl positively, can position the .parts at a greater ora less distance from the ground, and can positively manipulate rthe'pusher and the bottom pan to discharge material. When 'the cables arerelieved of tension, the parts in general return gravitally to their-lowermost position, although in the case of the pusher, if desired, orin the case of the bottom pan, or inthe case of both of them, the effectof gravity can be augmented, if necessary, to produce a sufficientlyrapid return to normal position.

In customary use, this structure is advanced over the terrain and, whenthe front bowl is raised, receives earthy material within the m-ainbowl, following which the front bowl is partially lowered to receiveforwardly rolling portions of the gathering earthy material, Afollowingwhich the front bowl and the main bowl are brought into substantialabutment and closed position to transport the material at a selectedelevation above the ground. Following this, at a discharge location thefront bowl is moved to open position and the main bowl is emptiedbyoperating the bottom pan and the pusher. As an alternative and specialfeature to pick up large boulders or comparable material, the entiremachine is moved so that the main bowl and the front bowl are spacedapart in a position `above the material. Upon lowering the main frame,the main bowl is then situated behind `the material, and the front bowlis ahead of it. When the cable I is tensioned, 'the front 'bowl isbrought toward the main bowl, thereby picking up the material, and,following this, the main frame is lifted thereby raising the materialfor hauling to a discharge location.

As disclosed in Fig. 6, under certain circumstances it is deemedpreferable to provide the conjoint action of the pivoted bottom pan andthe pusher structure in a way which produces a somewhat different typeof motion and discharging characteristics. In this arrangement thebottom pan '56a is mounted on pivots 59a and is contoured to provide acamming action with rollers 14a which are mounted at the extremity ofeach of a pair of levers 61a which are joined by 'a beam 13a and aremounted on pivots 68a in turn carried by brackets 69a projectingupwardly from the main frame 6a.

(3o-operating with the bottom panja is a pusher 63a including an endwall 64a having reinforcing members |6| which at their lower extremitiesare provided with 'rollers |62 designed to operate in cam grooves |63formed between the bottom pan 56a and a ledge |64 evenly spacedtherefrom. Also pivoted adjacent the lower terminus of the members |6Iis a scraper blade |55 which is held by coil springs |66 into scrapingcontact with the bottom pan 56a.

The upper ends of the members ISI are connected by pivot pins |61 tosupporting levers |68 at their upper ends mounted to swing about thepivots 68a and carrying a back plate |69 which supplements the plate64a. Preferably, movement about the pivots |61 is restrained by springs|10 connected to the pins |61 and to levers 61o, the extreme positionsbeing indicated by the dotted lines and by the solid lines in Fig. 6.

In order conjointly to actuate the bottom pan and the pusher betweenholding or carrying position and discharging position, I extend a cableto a bracket |11 |23a from a pulley |38a corresponding to the pulley |38on the mast, to pass around a sheave |13 which is journaled in a bracket|14 'mounted on the beam |12. From there the cable |23a extendsdownwardly to pass around a sheave |15 journaled in a rearwardlyprojecting extension |16 of the bottom pan 56a and is then anchoreddepending from a cross-beam |18 spanning the levers 61a. Thus when thecable |23@ is tensioned, force is exerted upon the lever 61a tending tomove it counterclockwise in Fig. 6 so that the roller 14a cams againstthe bottom pan 56a tending to rotate it clockwi'se and to discharge. Thetension in the cable |23a is also effective directly to lift upon thethe bottom pan 56a through the pulley |15, and, by means of the cammingaction between 'the cam track |63 and the roller |62, Vthe pusher 63a ismoved toward discharging position, carrying the plate |69 with it andtensioning the restoring spring |10. If the plate 64a should notimmediately move forward, the resisting influence of the load and theline of action of the spring E16 may cause the plate 64a to lift so thatthe levers |58 strike the levers 61a being thereby propelled towarddischarge position.

Then, when the tension upon the cable |23a is released, the weight ofthe bottom pan 56a restores it pivotally to its carrying position, andthe camming action returns the levers 61a and the pusher 63a to theirnormal position, assisted by the spring |16. All of these motions areeffected substantially in unison or with a delayed action, or with orwithout supplement by additional springs, if desired. With this 'form ofthe invention, as well as with that shown in the other figures, theaction is to provide a commodious earth-carrying main bowl yet to movevarious portions of the main bowl in such a way that the materialtherein is positively discharged.

I claim:

1. An earth mover comprising a main frame lsupported for movement overthe ground, a main bowl mounted on said main frame for vertical movementwith respect tothe ground, a pusher mounted 'to sweep through said mainbowl, a front `bowl movable toward and away 'from said main bowl, meansfor conjointlysweeping said pusher through said main bowl and movingsaid front bowl away from said main bowl, and means for conjointlymoving said main bowl vertically and moving said front bowl toward saidmain bowl.

2. An earth mover comprising a main frame supportedzfor movement overthe ground; a main bowl mounted on said main frame for vertical movementwith respect to the ground; a front bowl .mounted on said main frame formovement toward and away from said main bowl; a bottom `pan included insaid main bowl and mounted for pivotal movement with respect to saidmain frame; a pusher mounted to sweep through said main bowl; a firstcable connected to raise said .main frame and move said 'front bowltoward .said main bowl when tensioned; and a second cable connected tomove said front bowl away vfrom said main bowl and move said pusherthrough said main bowl and pivot said bottom pan when tensioned.

3. An earth mover comprising a main frame supported for movement overthe ground; a main bowl mounted on said main frame for verticalmovement; a front Ybowl mounted on said main frame for movement towardand away from said main bowl; a lbottom pan forming the bot tom of saidmain bowl and movable through a portion thereof; a pusher mounted tomove through said portion of said main bowl; means for eiectingconcerted movement of said bottom pan and said pusher; means forconjointly moving said main bowl vertically and said iront bowl towardsaid main bowl; and means for conjointly moving said front bowl awayfrom said main bowl and said bottom pan and said pusher through saidportion of said main bowl.

4. An earth mover comprising a main frame, means for supporting saidframe for movement over the ground, a main bowl on said main frame,means affording movement of said main bowl toward and away from theground, a front bowl on said main frame and having a lower edge, meansaiording movement of said front bowl back and forth over the ground withsaid lower edge travelling in a substantially horizontal path,

and conjoint means for moving said main bowl away from the ground andsaid front bowl toward said main bowl.

5. An earth mover comprising a main frame, means for supporting saidmain frame for movement over the ground, a main bowl on said main frameand having a front edge, a front bowl disposed ahead of said main bowland having a lower edge movable into a position adjacent said frontedge, a connector pivotally related to said main frame, a bracket xedlyrelated to said main frame for limiting pivotal movement of saidconnector, a pivotal connection between said front bowl and saidconnector substantially above said front edge, and means for moving saidfront bowl with said lower edge travelling in a substantially horizontalpath.

ALLAN T. SPENCER, JR.

